Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has publicly voiced his displeasure with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for turning down the individual he recommended for a ministerial position in the federal cabinet.
A Nomination Ignored
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists on Tuesday, the governor disclosed that he had put forward a qualified native of Oyo State for the role after the President specifically requested an indigene of the state. The conversation took place in December 2025, highlighting an ongoing political tension.
"When the President asked me to nominate someone for a ministerial appointment, I inquired about the specific portfolio," Makinde recounted. "He stated they were seeking developmental economists for the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning."
"I searched for the best candidate and submitted the name of a state indigene," the governor continued. "However, that individual was not chosen for that role. Instead, the person was appointed as the Minister of Power."
Airport Upgrade Meeting Sparks Candid Talk
Makinde added that President Tinubu brought the issue up again during a subsequent meeting. The governor had visited the President to seek approval for the upgrade of the Ibadan airport.
"He promised to approve the airport upgrade," Makinde said. "Then he asked me to sit down and questioned why I was politically upset about my nominee not getting the ministerial slot."
In his response, Makinde used a poignant Yoruba proverb to explain his position. "I told him that in Yoruba land, if you don't want a pregnancy aborted, you wouldn't want the baby to die. It's easier to abort a pregnancy than to kill a baby," he stated. "I said ultimately, he decides who works with him. We can only suggest."
From Cross-Party Support to Public Regret
This revelation adds a new layer to the complex political relationship between the two leaders. During the fiercely contested 2023 presidential elections, Makinde, a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), broke ranks to publicly campaign for and support Tinubu's bid for the presidency.
However, with the 2027 elections approaching, Governor Makinde has dramatically shifted his stance. He now openly states that he regrets his decision to back President Tinubu.
"I am human," Makinde confessed. "I supported the current president, despite being in another party at the time, because I believed he would do what was right for Nigeria. Unfortunately, that is not what we are witnessing. I regret that action. Yes, I do."
This public declaration of regret and the account of the rejected ministerial nominee signal a significant cooling in the political alliance between the Oyo State governor and the President, setting the stage for potential realignments as the next election cycle draws near.
